What it means
LG's error code list puts a number on it: the defrost sensor didn't see the temperature rise by more than 5°C within 80 minutes of the defrost starting. It can show as F dH or r dH on some models.
What to check, in order
- Reset the power
Unplug the fridge from the wall, wait about 5 minutes and plug it back in.
- Empty it and put towels down
If the code comes back, take out all the food and put dry towels on the floor in front of the doors.
- Defrost with the doors open
Unplug it and leave the doors wide open. LG's general advice is at least 12 hours. Its US page for F dH says about a day in summer and up to three days in winter, so the ice blocking the drain can melt completely.
- Plug back in
Once the ice has gone, water should drain to the tray normally again. Plug it back in and close the doors.
When to call an engineer
If the code comes back after a full defrost. LG says a technician needs to check it, and a disconnected heater or temperature fuse, or a main board fault, isn't a home repair.
Good to know
- LG says frequent dH errors can reduce cooling and affect food quality, so contact LG even if a defrost clears it for a while.
- Er dS is a related code: LG says it means a fault in the defrost temperature sensor, and the evaporator may then get blocked by ice.
Checked against
- LG US: troubleshooting an F dH or r dH error code
- LG UAE: how to troubleshoot the error codes on your refrigerator
- LG US: refrigerator digital and analog error codes
Last reviewed September 2026. Manufacturers update their pages, and your manual is the final word.